TCS NYC Marathon Settles Lawsuit

There’s been a bit of an uproar since the NYRR announced that they were setteling a lawsuit in a case about processing fees for the TCS NYC Marathon.

The case was brought on by a few sore losers who were upset because they didn’t get into the race via the lottery and wanted their $11 back. Seriously? Did you not read the disclaimer that stated the money was non-refundable?

At any rate, at roughly the same time, the NYRR announced that fees for the marathon and the NYC Half were going up (after being consistent for five years).

Rather than jump to conclusions, I reached out to the organization and asked which aspects of the races caused the increase. In minutes I heard back from Chris Weller, the spokesman for the org and here’s what he said (verbatim):

“2016 marked the fifth straight year entry fees remained consistent for the New York City Marathon and NYC Half.  Due to rising expenses connected to producing safe, first-class events in New York City for runners of all ages and abilities, while positively impacting the communities of the five boroughs, and the inclusion of processing and administrative costs associated with the non-guaranteed entry drawing and race registration process, the entry fees for the TCS New York City Marathon and United Airlines NYC Half are increasing in 2017. ”

Here’s how I interpret it, runners who get into the race now have to carry all of the processing fees for folks who enter the race and don’t get in. Is that fair? Doesn’t matter, I’m totally fine paying an extra few dollars to run the most iconic race in the world and I really don’t think the NYRR should shoulder the burden. I may be in the minority here, but it’s not a money-making organization, it’s a not for profit, which according to its 501(c)(3) status means:

The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization’s net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.  

They also have a great rating on Charity Navigator, which, among other things looks at financials and rates charities on what they actually spend their money on vs. what they say they spend their money.

Check out their profile and you’ll see that the NYRR spends more than 87% of its generated revenue on programs and only 11.3% on administrative fees. That number could have changed due to eating the processing fees for the marathon and half. And then maybe they wouldn’t be able to offer free running for all its youth events. From a September 8th press release:

“New York Road Runners today announced, as New York City students head back to school, that all NYRR youth running events are now free to all participants, complementing the free youth running programs NYRR has been offering for the past 12 years through the NYRR Mighty Milers and Young Runners programs in schools and community centers in NYC and across the country. From public events like the NYRR Youth Running Series for ages 7-18 and weekly kids’ races for ages 2-12, all youth events will be free to all youngsters across New York City’s five boroughs and beyond. During the 2016-2017 school year, NYRR is projecting to serve 250,000 youth nationally through free NYRR youth running programs and events, both in-school and public. Additionally, a new, free youth wheelchair training program will launch on September 10, introducing youth with physical disabilities to the sport of wheelchair racing.”

So I’m fine with the increase knowing that I’m not only paying for what is probably the most secure race this side of Boston, but I sleep well at night knowing that I help make it possible for the organization to do great things.

Anyway, enough of this, who am I going to see in the park this weekend at the 18 mile Tune Up?!?